Chương 119: Interlude 14

Supreme General Darren Burnstock I examined the communication received from the Last Bastion. Elena was rumored to be dead, killed by a demon on the 26th layer. The news had spread far and wide by this point. The greatest team, featuring my wife among other Supreme Legends, had died. Even with my expertise, I couldn't confirm whether she lived or died. Her versatility as a spellblade made her the most likely to survive. Her death was also a bad omen for humanity. Our greatest guardian had fallen.

I almost wished I'd joined her for the last descent. My only use would have been against that demon. One sentence would have instantly killed it. A flaw in thinking monsters was their vulnerability to social skills. It was the one skill I had grasped the tightest. Even the letter referencing it to my son was a colossal risk of it leaking. Once someone knew it, they could counter it. But against anyone who didn't suspect, it meant instant victory, a true trump card against all threats that could understand speech.

"Will this affect the preparations?" One of my advisors asked hesitantly.

"No. We move forward as planned. Strengthen our defenses and skill training, while we continue to import war machines and other weapons from Dwarven Corporations. We will prepare for a full-scale invasion of the mainland two years from now. The schedule has not changed."

"The legends grow restless. Some question whether you are fit to lead after Elena's death," another advisor said.

"Then convene the council of legends. They can vote if they wish to replace me as their leader. But the loser will face either exile or a challenge," I said, restating the rules that had been set up for the legend's council. It was annoying, but I needed their support if I was going to crush everyone else. With the dwarven war machines, we wouldn't need to worry about having a smaller army. I would focus on quality. These legends would crush their enemies, forming an elite military.

The regular army would crush everyone before them with the war machines. The Dwarven Corporations, still greedy, aimed to profit from the conflict. That was their gravest fault. They didn't realize that real power came from being united and having an advantage. While they would keep their best in reserve, low-level people could use war machines and equipment. That was an advantage. A level 40 farmer could kill a level 80 professional soldier. Those Mana cannons were incredibly dangerous.

A legend had a high chance of dodging and surviving, but anyone below that level would struggle. I thought of Elena again. I couldn't help but think about how that fight would play out. Having seen and taken part in countless high-level fights, I understood their flow. But I had never seen a fight at that level before. I have been worried about Justin. It wasn't a shock that my son hadn't been in touch. He shared his mother's independent spirit. I knew his stubborn nature would influence his class selections.

I had someone watching from afar, and his reason for going into the dungeon with the healer was obvious. I wanted to send him aid, but he had to endure hardship. Being given everything would render him useless and inept. Increasing the color of one's class was incredibly difficult once it was blue, but it wasn't impossible. I would have guided him, had he come to me. However, he was reluctant to seek help, similar to his mother. He'd eventually come to me, or else he'd leave. I couldn't force him.

I wondered what would become of him. Throughout history, my other children had disappointed me. Justin had avoided that label because of the help from his mother and his determination. If he didn't place first in the College, then he would be a disappointment as well and not worth investing in. I learned that the hard way. Sometimes it was better to let something go and take a step back to achieve more later on. Hopefully, Elena lived and triumphed. It was unlikely, but I never let go of hope for the future.

One had to believe in a better tomorrow, or the present wasn't worth living in. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Legend Xanatos"Die!" I swiped my hand, and the Revenants burst into black flames, which quickly turned into ash, erasing their entire existence. I was wheezing from the relentless pursuit. Apparently, Yonder didn't take kindly to having his soul melted and his mind tortured.

A shame that he had escaped death, but it was practically a calling card for the top members of the Dark Cabal. Killing any of us was an exercise in frustration. Yonder had used Soul Possession and a homunculus clone to confront me. His actual body was likely hiding. Losing a specifically prepared clone would set him back. Such a thing was difficult to create. But he hadn't died.

There would be some lingering damage, but he had used a fake soul encasement for his clone to prevent such attacks from striking his true soul. It would have impressed me slightly if it had not annoyed me so much. Now he was sending the undead after me. I despised Revenants, super zombies. They were easy to deal with, just annoying. He was using an obscure tracking method, but it mattered not. I would fleshcraft a couple of decoys to throw him off my scent. At least Elena, that bitch, was dead.

A shame it was to a demon, and not by my hand. At least I knew not to go to the 26 th layer now. I always knew it would be a death sentence, but it was nice to have confirmation. The demon's ability to intercept the team meant someone had altered the passages. Perhaps there were fewer passages the deeper one went? Would some other starting passage offer better alternatives for getting to the bottom, or was a demon guarding each one? More questions that would never receive answers.

Right now, recovery of the Dark Library was a priority. I wasn't just going to sit around and play with the other members of the Dark Cabal. Once I recovered it, I would reclaim my position. I could only hope that they set off the trap I had left with my eye. It was no level 300 demon, but a level 123 demon, more than enough to cause a lot of headaches for those annoying council members. Tracking down the Dark Library was currently proving to be a challenge.

It was irritating that it possessed genuine intelligence and could reason. Once I found it, I would punish it a bit. Suffer could see more use, and I wouldn't let it forget its betrayal. Escaping from my control was annoying and a waste of my time. Oh, there was a farm ahead of me. Brave of you to be out here in this remote area. Time to collect some resources and put them to use. Divine Seraphim Glorious Light Something stirred in the heavens. I focused my senses toward the Vostner Continent.

It had been a long time since those beings had made trouble. Reaching for things they shouldn't. A flying fortress. I frowned at this. The heavens were our domain. To challenge us was the height of arrogance. I tapped my throne and considered what should be done. I could strike it down, but they might think it was an accident. The message would fail to deliver properly. The short-lived races were quite forgetful.

It was essential to be clear and concise with them to avoid confusion, while maintaining order and purpose. Order and purpose were impossible without understanding. But they weren't violating the ancient treaties and agreements, and just skirting the edge of them, for they did not fly higher than the highest bird. Still, it was annoying now that I knew.

"Hardened Purpose, come to me," I said, my words traveling on the threads of Mana to its recipient. He teleported to my throne room and kneeled. I knew he was bored. I mentally conveyed the issue to him, and he frowned just like me.

"A grave insult." I nodded slightly.

"But they do not know. They are forgetful. We are guardians, not wanton demons or the mortal races. We must preserve order and purpose. But without understanding, we cannot reach them.

"What are your orders, Glorious Light?"

"You will share the agreements that we have reached with their ancestors. You will also inform them that their floating castle is offensive. They are to land it and not seek to claim the heavens. If they refuse, then destroy whatever mechanism it uses and then immediately return."

"Even if they aren't violating the agreements?" Hardened Purpose didn't care, but he wanted to be sure of my will. I would not tolerate mistakes.

"That is correct. Your presence will disrupt the natural order of things, but in time, they will produce more flying craft. We cannot allow that. The heavens are our domain. No one else may covet them. A lesson is in order if they do not listen. Speak with purpose first and then act, in that order."

"As you command, Glorious Light," he said and then teleported away. I retracted my gaze. It would take him time to arrive. I had not permitted him to rush. Perhaps the Vostner would come to their senses and land the flying monstrosity themselves. That would be the best outcome. Fighting was tiresome. I sensed Hardened Purpose meditating. It would take him time to gather the Mana for such a teleport, but that was fine. I would not allow our stockpile of Mana reserves to be wasted on a lesson.

It was best to conserve our power and dignity. People would perceive rushing everywhere as a sign of weakness and incompetence. Order and purpose were important. I slowly closed my eyes. I knew that Hardened Purpose would return with fanfare. He was quite noisy once he got worked up, but that was fine. He could use the exercise.